Hi Guys,

I cant believe that the Blog Lovin Tour is almost over, only one more week left. It has been great sharing each week to celebrate Michelle and Jessica’s new book “The Declaration of you”

This weeks topic is Celebration, so lets dive in.

I love to celebrate Holidays!  Growing up though, I had few celebrations, my mom being a single mom worked a lot, and when I look back now, she was tired, and worn out from life. So as a kid, Holidays seemed almost like a chore than anything else.  So you know as we all do, we say to our self, “self, I will not be like my parents”.  I did my best as a mom to be different, so Holidays are kind of a big deal, to bring everyone together, put up the decorations, have birthday dinners, whatever I can do to celebrate.  But I found as the kids grew, and life, bills, goals, games, homework, band practice, church, heart ache and brokenness happened, I am more like my mom than I am different… Sigh

I’m that head down, work like crazy till the job is done kinda person, forgetting to enjoy the moments in the process. Always setting new goals or finding a new project, but it’s like fun and celebration are in one box and life and work are in another and spontaneity was NOT in my vocabulary….

In the last few years things have started to change for me….  It’s a real internal struggle for me, to lift up my head, look around and find the joy in the moment, to see a beautiful sunrise, or to be spontaneous in the middle of a project. But it’s in those moments when I get my best inspiration for art,  find something beautiful to share on the blog or create an everlasting memory with my honey or kids. 

The other thing that has happened as I’ve taken time to celebrate the beautiful everyday moments is Gratitude! I find myself so thankful for every little thing. (ok maybe I’m not thankful for laundry and cleaning toilets, but you know what I mean).  I’m thankful for the strong work ethic that my mom gave me, but I’m learning that I need to breathe, BE PRESENT, celebrate and be grateful for this one life that I have been given.

So if I could leave you with this about Celebration today…. Celebrate the big things.. the holidays, birthdays… of course! but…. celebrate the little things too! Lift up you head and look around, see the new blooms in the front yard or the little ones who want your attention and be grateful. Take time to have breakfast with your kids, skype with family, laugh with friends, or throw your stuff in the car and escape, just lift up your head and see all the amazing moments right now that you can celebrate and be thankful for!

Celebrate Today!

Big Smile=Shawn

 “The Declaration of You, published North Light Craft Books and available now, gives readers all the permission they’ve craved to step passionately into their lives, discover how they and their gifts are unique and uncover what they are meant to do! This post is part of The Declaration of You’s Blog Lovin’ Tour, which I’m thrilled to participate in alongside over 200 other creative bloggers. Learn more – and join us! – by clicking here.”

Look at all the amazing contributors of “The Declaration of You”!